Red Apple Rest facts for kids
The Red Apple Rest was a famous roadside restaurant in Tuxedo, New York. It was a popular stop for people traveling to the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York.
Before the New York State Thruway was built, trips from New York City to the Catskills could take many hours. The Red Apple Rest was located about halfway, making it a perfect place to stop. Reuben Freed opened the restaurant in May 1931.
The building was partially taken down starting on October 31, 2023.
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A Popular Roadside Stop
The Red Apple Rest was very busy in the 1940s and 1950s. It was open every day, all day and night. Many famous people, like comedians and athletes, stopped there. Families traveling to camps and resorts also loved it.
Even after the Thruway opened in 1953, the restaurant stayed popular. In 1965, the Red Apple Rest served one million customers!
Famous Visitors and Stories
Comedians, often called "Borscht Belt" comedians, would stop at the Red Apple Rest late at night. They would talk about their shows and share ideas for new jokes.
The Red Apple Motel, located near the restaurant, also hosted many famous guests. Rock and Roll musicians stayed there in the 1970s. The place was private, and the staff was discreet. Famous comedian George Carlin stayed in room 102 during his first week on Saturday Night Live. He liked quiet mornings but often tried out new jokes with the night staff.
After 53 years, the Freed family sold the Red Apple Rest in 1984. It closed its doors in September 2006.
The restaurant appeared in several movies, including Deconstructing Harry and A Walk on the Moon. It was also in a comic strip called Zippy.
What Happened to the Building?
In 2011, there was talk about opening a new restaurant for bikers at the Red Apple Rest site. A group of British business owners were interested. The town supervisor noted that many bikers rode through Tuxedo in the summer. However, the old building needed a lot of repairs. The new restaurant did not open there.
A Book About the Restaurant
Reuben Freed's daughter, Elaine Freed Lindenblatt, wrote a book about the restaurant. It is called Stop at the Red Apple (2014). The book shares stories from the restaurant's busy years and beyond.
Demolition of the Red Apple Rest
A part of the Red Apple Rest building collapsed in 2023. Because of this, demolition began on October 30, 2023. About one-third of the building was taken down.
Images for kids
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The Red Apple Rest in March 2013, seven years after it closed. The building was fenced off.
